Posted on 09/19/2019 11:24:04 AM PDT by RummyChick
After a spine-tingling vocal and piano performance, crowd favorite Kodi Lee, who is blind and autistic, was crowned the winner of America's Got Talent.
The California-born breakout star, 23, was visibly in disbelief as confetti fell and his name was announced. Earlier in the evening, Kodi had sent viewers on an emotional roller coaster as he performed the track You Are The Reason in a stirring duet with Grammy Award-winner Leona Lewis.
As he was ultimately named victorious, he said, 'I feel so amazing; unbelievable' as he realized he had won the $1 million prize.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Simon Cowell said that when Kodi auditioned it took him so long to go to the piano that he was about to stand up and tell him to come back another day.
He clearly has challenges performing but God gave him a gift.
His find Susan Boyle was also diagnosed on the spectrum.
here is the audition that started it all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDPdRYF7hTQ
An amazing guy. He struggles to answer questions even when he probably knows what they are going to be. Slow to answer. Short answers.
And then he plays the piano and sings just like any talented performer would. The contrast was amazing to me.
And he is good. Lots of sympathy votes I’m sure but is very deserving of the $million prize.
OTOH, I was pulling for Emanne Beasha, the 10 year old soprano. She finished in the top 10 but was good enough to win in a normal year. Amazing singer for her age. One of the 2 or 3 best young female singers of the last few years. Amira Willighagen is the best but Emanne might be competitive with her one day.
Never quit, kid.
Here’s the video of the duet:
Emanne should have been one of the top two with Kodi, but true talent and culture is no longer appreciated in this society.
Wow! There is Triumph in all adversity.. Praise the Lord.
He has a good voice and talent.
That said I don’t cry when he or anyone else sings.
Another example is from Australian Survivor
A fan favorite was brutally cut at 4th and was completely devastated because he has 3 special needs kids.
In less than 3 days fans raised the same amount he would have won.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/luke-toki-australias-true-survivor
To me this is an amazing story that Australia rallied around him in such a short time.
I liked Luke but prefer Villians
“Emanne should have been one of the top two with Kodi, but true talent and culture is no longer appreciated in this society.”
Agreed! Though I’m no real fan of operatic music, she could sing like no one! She should have been in the finals and instead she was knocked off my the unfunny comedian with short arms.
They do video segments on performers and they did a slide show of Kodi and his mother; some with him being upset and crying as a young boy.
She never gave up on him and never dismissed him.
Despite his handicaps she truly loves him unconditionally.
Kodi is proof of the miracle of love.
Wonderful voice.
That ONE MILLION DOLLAR prize is paid out at $25,000 for 40 years !!!!!!!!!
smh...disgusting even in State lotteries you have a choice on how you want your prize money...but I guess not on that show....
Natural abilities such as hers only come about every decade or more. She is right up there in class level with Judy Garland.
The linky thing doesn’t like me
I like Emanne Beasha, as well. I thought she was very relaxed and poised for a 10 year old and she dressed appropriately, as well.
She also acted like a kid in her interviews, and I say this as a good thing. In the semi-finals, they showed she still has her stuffed animals she keeps and takes with her when she auditions.
She comes across as a likable kid with angelic voice.
Since the show is in California, does the winner pay Cali income tax? That plus IRS equals about 40 % of the prize. Plus the mom now has to hire lawyers and accountants, who don’t come cheap.
The little opera singer is better off. She is free from the Simon two year contract, and can pursue other opportunities. She’s only eleven, and has a forty- year singing career ahead of her, if she doesn’t blow out her pipes too soon.
I read about it at the daily mail in UK...and it blew me away of how they operate...
smh...unbelievable...thanks for the additional information...
I do watch America’s Got Talent, and from the first moment of his audition, I’ve been pulling for Kodi Lee. He is nothing short of a gift from God. Kodi shows us that, despite our disabilities (which I believe we all have to one extent or another), we each have talents hidden within us. If we nurture them, allow them to blossom, and share them with each other, the world would be a better place. That may sound corny, but it’s the truth.
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